Darkest Dungeon II
Darkest Dungeon II

Quirks: Heroic Traits & Flaws

Learn to manage Heroic Traits and Flaws in Darkest Dungeon II. Understand how Quirks affect your heroes' performance and impact expeditions.

·Multi-source verified (85/85)

Quirks: Heroic Traits & Flaws

Quirks are persistent character traits that significantly impact your heroes' performance, for better or worse. They are gained and lost throughout your journey, adding a layer of strategic depth and unpredictability to each expedition. Understanding how to manage Quirks is crucial for long-term survival in the darkest reaches of the world.

Gaining and Losing Quirks

Heroes acquire Quirks through various in-game events and interactions. These can include:

  • Combat Encounters: Particularly challenging battles or critical hits/misses can sometimes trigger new Quirks.
  • Road Encounters: Stopping at specific points of interest on the road, such as Academic's Studies or Hoarders, can present choices that lead to new Quirks.
  • Inn Events: Certain Inn items or decisions made during the rest phase can influence Quirk acquisition.
  • Relationship Changes: Positive or negative relationship events can sometimes manifest as new Quirks.

Conversely, Quirks can be removed or locked through specific actions:

  • The Hospital: Located at certain Assaults or Lairs (less common), the Hospital is your primary means of managing Quirks. Here, you can choose to:
    • Remove a Negative Quirk: Costs Relics and potentially Baubles. The cost scales with the severity of the Quirk.
    • Lock in a Positive Quirk: Costs Relics and often Hope. This prevents the Quirk from being removed by future events. Prioritize locking in powerful positive Quirks early.
  • Specific Inn Items: A rare few Inn items, like the Medicinal Herbs or Purifying Draught, can remove a random negative Quirk. These are highly valuable.
  • Shrines of Reflection: While primarily for unlocking hero backstories, some choices within Shrines can occasionally influence Quirks.

Types of Quirks

Quirks are generally categorized into two main types:

  • Positive Quirks: These provide beneficial effects, ranging from stat bonuses to combat advantages. Examples include:
    • Eagle Eye: +% Crit Chance for Ranged Skills.
    • Tough: +% Max HP.
    • Clutch Hitter: +% Damage when HP is below 50%.
    • Hard Skinned: +% Resistance to Blight and Bleed.

    Prioritize locking in powerful positive Quirks that synergize with your hero's role and your team composition.

  • Negative Quirks: These inflict detrimental effects, such as stat penalties, stress increases, or combat disadvantages. Examples include:
    • Claustrophobia: +% Stress in enclosed spaces (e.g., Lairs, Caves).
    • Kleptomaniac: Chance to steal loot from encounters, preventing you from collecting it.
    • Fearful: +% Stress from specific enemy types.
    • Weak Grip: -% Damage with Melee Skills.

    Negative Quirks should be removed as soon as resources allow, especially those that severely hinder a hero's primary function or consistently increase stress.

Strategic Management of Quirks

Effective Quirk management is an ongoing process throughout your expedition. Consider these strategies:

  1. Early Assessment: At the start of each run, quickly review your heroes' starting Quirks. Identify any immediate threats (e.g., a Kleptomaniac on your main loot collector) or powerful boons worth protecting.
  2. Resource Prioritization: Decide whether to spend Relics and Baubles on removing negative Quirks or locking in positive ones. Generally, critical negative Quirks should be removed first, followed by locking in game-changing positive Quirks.
  3. Hospital Visits: Plan your route to include Hospitals when necessary. Don't hesitate to detour slightly if a hero is crippled by a severe negative Quirk. Remember that Hospitals are often found in Assaults or Lairs, so prepare for combat.
  4. Inn Item Usage: Save Quirk-removing Inn items for emergencies or when you can't reach a Hospital easily.
  5. Synergy and Role: Consider how Quirks interact with a hero's combat role. A Tough Quirk on your tank is excellent, while Weak Grip on your damage dealer is disastrous.
  6. Avoid Unnecessary Risks: Some road encounters offer choices that can lead to Quirks. Weigh the potential reward against the risk of acquiring a debilitating flaw.

By actively managing your heroes' Quirks, you can mitigate their weaknesses and amplify their strengths, turning the tide in your favor against the encroaching darkness.